FAQs2023-08-17T16:50:41+01:00

Frequently Asked Questions

Why use Natural Flooring?2022-12-12T15:09:24+00:00

Not only does natural flooring add style and elegance to most rooms it helps make a house a home.

The beautiful colours and textures also bring depth and warmth to any design. Natural carpets are used by most of the world’s top designers for these very reasons, as well as the fact that natural products are better for the environment and are recyclable. Another good reason to use them is that due to their natural components they are great for allergy sufferers and unlike wool don’t harbour dust mites etc.

Browse our full range of natural flooring here.

Do natural flooring’s stain?2023-03-29T12:05:07+01:00

Some stain worse than others however it is always advised that all natural flooring is protected with a stain treatment. Having a stain treatment applied reduces the risk of any permanent marking. Intec stain treatment is a natural based product that once sprayed onto the natural fibre stops liquid from soaking into the flooring for some time. So the liquid sits in puddles on the top giving you time use white kitchen roll or a white cloth to soak it up before any damage is done.

Have you already got carpet or natural flooring installed and want to protect it from stains? Click here to see our call out spraying service for carpet stain protection.

How do I clean natural flooring?2021-06-10T17:10:00+01:00

Regular vacuuming with a cylinder vacuum is perfectly adequate to keep your natural flooring looking fresh and clean. For any stains or marks that the vacuum won’t remove then there are cleaning products designed especially for natural fibre and these should be used. Never use water on natural fibre products unless specified by the manufacturer to do so. If you wish to give the product a full clean after years of use or after a spillage etc there are local cleaners in all areas that specialise in the dry extract cleaning methods of plant fibre flooring.

Why do I need a specialist to install my natural flooring?2023-01-13T15:15:01+00:00

Plant fibre flooring is like wood or any natural product. It will expand and contract with temperature and moisture changes. To restrict movement in the natural flooring, not only does it need to be acclimatised in the area it is to be installed but must be fitted using a stable double stick underlay and adhesives that are recommended by a natural flooring supplier.

The method of installation is slightly more involved than standard carpet and many carpet fitters are not happy or proficient in handling the products. Without the correct procedure to install natural products you may find that they bubble when they expand or pull away from the walls when they shrink leaving an unsightly gap. If fitted correctly even though the product continues to expand and contract you will never notice.

To find out how we can help you find the right installer for natural flooring follow this link to our installation & measurement page.

How sustainable and eco-friendly are your products?2022-12-12T15:10:05+00:00

All Sisal & Seagrass products are chosen based on their sustainability profile.

Our natural plant fibre ranges all originate from managed forestry operations that are continuously replanted after harvests. Not only that, but all of our products are biodegradable after their life as beautiful floors and rugs are over.

Our Ocean Clear Carpets Range are made from 100% recycled PET plastic bottles and fishing nets that would otherwise be floating around polluting our oceans.
Our aim has always been to promote products that help our planet now and in the future. You can rest assured knowing that for every order we get we donate £5.00 to plant a tree through the World Land Trust. Please see our Eco Mission for more details here.

And to find our eco friendly offering of flooring please follow this link.

What underlay do I need?2023-03-29T12:06:22+01:00

If you are having any new flooring fully fitted we always recommend using underlay. Not only does this improve the comfort of the product, but it can also increase its life span by more than double.

For natural plant fibre carpets and flooring there is only one type of underlay recommended and this is a rubber crumb double stick system like our RC Eco Underlay. Plant fire flooring needs a strong and heavy underlay to ensure it stays stuck down and does not curl up at the edges; read more on this in our FAQ on fitting and shrinkage.

For non-plant fibre flooring like our Ocean Clear Carpets Range or any other carpet types a variety of underlays are suitable, however, if you’re looking for a non-toxic, completely natural underlay then our AirFlow Underlay can be used with any carpet (except plant fibre flooring).

Are your products vegan?2022-11-24T12:04:17+00:00

Yes. All of our carpets, flooring, rugs and runners are vegan, no animal products are involved in their production at any stage.

Can Sisal and Seagrass be used on stairs?2022-11-24T12:09:53+00:00

Nearly all plant fibre products can be used on stairs (Sisal, Seagrass and Coir) very successfully with no issues at all.

Contrary to the widely spread myth, natural floorings are not slippery if installed correctly, in fact all of our products pass the industry standard slip tests required.
There are only two ranges we would advise avoiding for stairs, these are Sisal Collossos – as we do find this to be mildly more slippy due to its pile height – and any of the Jute range due to it having a lower durability rating making it more likely to wear out faster than our other products on stairs.

All our other products are rated at heavy domestic use or above and are perfect for stairs, landings and runners.

Are chemicals used in plant fibre carpets or flooring?2022-12-12T15:10:23+00:00

NO, none of our natural plant fibre carpets/flooring have any chemicals added to them before manufacture or after.

This includes the use of pesticides (moths can’t eat or breed in plant fibre carpets anyway) and fire retardant as they are naturally fire retardant according to the British and European standards. Even the colouring used to make their vibrant shades are created using vegetable dyes and the non-slip backings made from natural materials like chalk.

See our full range of non-toxic, chemical free carpets, rugs and runners here.

Are plant fibre products good for people with allergies?2022-12-12T15:10:40+00:00

Our natural carpets are all non-toxic and an excellent choice for people who suffer from chemical sensitivities, intolerances or breathing issues.

There are no chemicals used in the manufacturing process and carpets like sisal, seagrass, coir and jute have been known to keep dust and fluff to a minimum while also nullifying the risk of dust mites or moths; An ideal choice for anyone who suffers with the above issues that are usually made worse with standard carpet installed.

For the full list of our non-toxic and VOC free carpets click here.

Will my natural flooring shrink?2022-11-24T12:08:29+00:00

Sisal, Seagrass, Jute and Coir flooring can expand and contract with moisture and temperature changes, however, as long as the flooring is installed correctly using the recommended underlay and method to fit, you will never see this movement taking place and it will behave like any other carpet on the market.

Does Sisal or Seagrass go mouldy?2022-11-24T12:07:37+00:00

Plant fibre flooring is sensitive to moisture and should not be installed in high moisture areas like bathrooms. Most other rooms of the home will cause no issues as long as they are well ventilated and not subject to excessive dampness.

Do natural carpets fade over time?2022-11-24T12:05:44+00:00

All carpets and flooring, natural or man-made, will fade over time when subjected to UV light over an extended period of time.

Natural flooring and carpets like Sisal, Jute, Coir, Seagrass and wool can be more prone to fading than synthetic fibres.

If you are concerned about this, we would recommend that lighter shades and colour ways are used in areas where there are large windows or patio doors, particularly if they are south facing.

The use of window treatments, shades, blinds and curtains will of course help to mitigate fading. On all plant fibre natural products colour fastness is not guaranteed when the materials are subjected to prolonged exposure to UV light.

Do our rugs need underlay?2023-10-20T14:07:30+01:00

All of our plant fibre products used to make rugs or runners have a backing on them that is non-slip so they will not move, no rug underlay is required.

For more information on this subject read our blog post on Do Natural Rugs Need Underlay.

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